Improvement in the city’s public protection classification for fire suppression could result in residents and businesses seeing lower insurance premiums.

Insurance Services Office has rated East Peoria as Class 3 effective July 1, 2014, an improvement from its previous Class 5 rating.

A total of 100 points is possible. Communities scoring 70 to 79.99 receive Class 3 ratings. East Peoria scored 78.37.

ISO classifications run from Class 1, representing an exemplary fire suppression program, to Class 10 which does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria. ISO is an independent company serving insurance companies, communities, fire departments, insurance regulators and others by providing information about risk. East Peoria was last rated in 2009, improving then from a Class 6 to Class 5.

The ISO’s public protection classification program evaluates communities using a uniform set of criteria, incorporating nationally recognized standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Water Works Association. Classifications are based on fire alarm and communication systems including telephone systems and lines, staffing and dispatching; the fire department including equipment, staffing, training and geographic distribution of fire companies; and the water supply system, including the condition and maintenance of hydrants, alternative water supply operations, and an evaluation of the amount of available water compared with the amount needed to suppress fires up to 3,500 gallons per minute.

According to the ISO’s 2013 figures, nationally most communities are ranked at Class 9, followed by Class 6. Presently there are 2,337 Class 3 areas, 659 Class 2 areas and 57 Class 1 areas.